BluePower - hydrogen-powered refuse collection vehicle and sweeper

In 2018, the company FAUN Umwelttechnik was able to present the first prototype of the so-called BLUEPOWER - a chassis for refuse collection vehicles and sweepers that combines hydrogen fuel cell and battery technology. In 2019, the first hydrogen refuse collection vehicles started their test operation - and had good experiences, so that the vehicles have been in series production since 2021.

As part of a project funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy funded project FAUN has developed drive systems for refuse collection vehicles and sweepers with hydrogen tanks and fuel cells from 2018 to 2020.

The basic frame of the BLUEPOWER vehicles is suitable for both refuse collection vehicles and sweepers. BLUEPOWER vehicles are equipped with a high-voltage battery (battery capacity of 85 kWh). However, depending on the requirements, the range of the vehicle can be increased with a fuel cell range extender with one to three fuel cell modules (with 30 kW each) and a hydrogen tank (for 400 - 1000 kWh).

After a successful test phase in which the BLUEPOWER vehicles were able to collect around 20 tonnes of recyclables per day, series production of the refuse collection vehicles and sweepers was started in 2021. There are currently 20 hydrogen refuse collection vehicles in operation in Germany and Europe. However, as part of the Clean Hydrogen Coastline project, production is to be expanded - in order to put up to 12,000 vehicles on the roads by 2026.

Partner